TEHRAN – In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Intelligence disclosed that its counter-terrorism unit has executed 79 targeted operations against terrorist elements from May to the beginning of July.

According to the statement, these operations were aimed at thwarting terrorist plots across several provinces including Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Razavi Khorasan, Fars, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr. The intensified efforts were prompted by the tragic incident involving the sudden crash of the President's plane and coinciding with the national presidential election.

During these operations, numerous terrorist suspects and their supporters were apprehended in direct confrontations. Authorities seized a significant cache of military weaponry, including 560 various types of firearms and neutralized 9 explosive devices. Some terrorists were intercepted and neutralized before they could infiltrate the country, while others were successfully detained along the eastern border regions.

Highlighting the scope of the threat, the Ministry of Intelligence underscored that separatist groups operating from the Kurdistan region of Iraq had attempted to infiltrate the country with a semi-heavy military shipment via northwestern borders. However, swift action by intelligence forces led to the interception and safe containment of the entire shipment after intense armed engagements.

In addition to these operations, the Ministry reported dismantling 6 operational hubs linked to dissident groups, resulting in the detention of all active operatives. Furthermore, authorities uncovered and seized two terrorist hideouts along with workshops where improvised launchers were being manufactured.

Among the Ministry's recent successes was the identification and extradition of Abdullah Kuwaitah, a key mastermind behind terrorist operations in Kerman. His capture has yielded crucial intelligence, aiding in the disruption of multiple terrorist plots and the identification of other pivotal figures and their hideouts across the region.

The twin explosions that ripped through Kerman happened on the 4th martyrdom anniversary of Iran’s anti-terror icon Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani. 94 people lost their lives as a result of the blasts and dozens more were injured.  

The Ministry of Intelligence emphasized that the information gleaned from these operations continues to play a vital role in safeguarding national security, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and maintain stability across the country.